President Judge William H. Platt granted Cedeno-Rodriguez work release after he serves at least three months. But since Cedeno-Rodriguez has credit for nearly four months, he'll probably begin work release as soon as the paperwork is processed, which could take a week, said his attorney, Dave Nicholls.

According to Nicholls, his client had checkedon his grandmother at her Fifth Street home when he found his uncle drunk, something Rodriguez admitted in court.

"That night I had been drinking, and I get aggressive when I drink," Rodriguez testified in Spanish through a translator. "I had a knife."

Cedeno-Rodriguezsaid he frequently deals with his uncle when his uncle is drinking and that tried to wrestle away the knife. In the process, Rodriguez cut himself, Cedeno-Rodriguez testified.

When the tug-of-war ended, Cedeno-Rodriguez realized Rodriguez was bleeding and needed medical attention. Rodriguez refused until Cedeno-Rodriguez coaxed him into the vehicle by promising him a beer, said Nicholls.

Cedeno-Rodriguez's partner Lillianette Clavell, who lives with Cedeno-Rodriguez and their three children, sobbed at the sentence. She told President Judge William H. Platt that Cedeno-Rodriguez's work as an automobile mechanic helps support not only their family but other relatives.

But Platt found the three stabbing wounds excessive. "Why three wounds," he asked.

As part of the sentence, Cedeno-Rodriguez must refrain from alcohol and take English classes.